Ronnie Arthur Patterson (1947-2023) Marlow, OK

March 03, 2023
Ronnie Arthur Patterson (1947-2023) Marlow, OK Ronnie Arthur Patterson (1947-2023) Marlow, OK

Ronnie Arthur Patterson left this earth for his heavenly home on February 20, 2023, in Marlow, Oklahoma, at the age of 75. A memorial service for family and friends will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan, Oklahoma. All are welcome. Care and arrangements have been entrusted to Whitt Funeral Home.

Ronnie was born to Arthur and Estelle Patterson on October 7, 1947. The second of four children, Ronnie was raised amidst rows of cotton and melons in Hollis, Oklahoma. After graduating from the Hollis High School, Ronnie found work at Republic Gypsum in Duke. Later, Ronnie met and married Debra Talley. From this union were born Ronnie’s two daughters, Rebekah and Kimberly.

Life brought Ronnie to Marlow, and to Cable’s Meat. The art of butchery and the love of meat learned there followed Ronnie all his days. Ronnie’s spare time in Marlow was spent attending college at the Oklahoma Missionary Bible College and photographing weddings and events.

Ronnie later met and married his best friend and lifelong companion, Carol Marie Stephenson of Little River, Kansas. Ronnie and Carol made a home in Larned, Kansas. In Larned, Ronnie worked for the Youth Center at Larned (YCAL) where he found his calling in the protection and service of at-risk children. Ronnie later earned his degree in Social Work from Fort Hays State University in his early 50s. Ronnie’s purpose of protecting and serving our most vulnerable took them to several locations in Kansas until finally settling in New Mexico until his retirement in 2014.

Ronnie and Carol were steadfast partners in travel and adventure, sharing their love of the mountains and the magic within them. From the golden aspens in Colorado to New Mexico green chiles, they experienced life together completely. When home, their family of cats kept them company. Any given weekend they could be found at the nearest venue listening to their favorite country singers in concert. No matter the destination, they were together. Always.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Estelle Patterson of Hollis, Oklahoma.

Ronnie is survived by his wife, Carol Patterson of Marlow, daughter Rebekah Herring and husband Ron of Velma, Oklahoma, and daughter Kimberly Smith and husband Dustin of Marlow. Ronnie is further survived by his older brother JC Patterson and wife Mary, younger brother Tommy Patterson and wife Ada, and younger sister Betty Seba and husband Larry. Surviving grandchildren are Lily Swindell and husband Blake, Emma Herring, Nathan Herring, Addison Herring, and Lincoln Smith. Ronnie will be missed by countless cousins, nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters in law, and friends.

Ronnie’s family would like to extend a special and heartfelt thank you to the caring people at West Wind Assisted Living, Gregston’s Nursing Home and Traditions Hospice. In memoriam and in lieu of flowers, Ronnie’s family asks that any contributions be made to Horizons Child Advocacy Center, 1600 N. Lorraine, Suite 202, Hutchinson, KS 67502.

Online condolences can be made at www.whittfh.com.

Published in The Marlow Review, March 2, 2023